daveperry Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 I have just purchased my first 7 a 1992 1700 cross flow super sprint, is this engine the same as the old GT escort and are the parts the same. Is there a workshop manual available for this engine and is there a workshop manal for this car if so where would be the best place to get one. I look foward to any help that any one can give me. Regards Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Cat Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 Hi Dave, Welcome aboard! I also have a Crossflow Caterham in "Supersprint" spec. I'm sure others will be along shortly with much more detailed info but essentially the Supersprint was Caterham's attempt at cheaply tuning the Kent using standard 1300 pistons, twin 40 Webers and Kent 234 (I think) to up the power to 120-130 bhp (officially 135bhp). I think the Escorts were in a lower state of tune 84-100bhp or thereabouts). I've had no internal trouble with mine at all in 6 years of ownership (touch wood) but the 1300 pistons are widely considered to be a weak point. Given the car is now 18 years old there is of course a reasonable chance that your engine is not quite what it says on the tin and has been rebuilt with higher quality pistons at some stage. Jon 1994 1.7 Supersprint De-dion X-Flow. Yellow with black cycle wings - Now with Megajolt ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative gileshudson Posted January 20, 2010 Area Representative Share Posted January 20, 2010 Welcome Dave Enjoy your se7en. X-flow owners will be queuing up to feed with you with knowledge. Any second now (counts 3,2, 1) . . . Giles Beryl the Peril (HPC) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drumster Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 Dave, Welcome to the club. It can be a bit of a madhouse on here occasionally but don't let that put you off. We're a good bunch on here really. Jon, is correct in what he says, but it does depend on the mileage and use of the engine that will determine the conditions of the 'weak' pistons. Having said that I knew one x/flow owner that managed 50,000 on the original pistons. My own 7 had an engine rebuild (with forged pistons amongst other things) at 21,000 miles as it was breathing heavily and I have since done another 50,000 miles. X/flows are pretty bullet-proof. Books: I used the following over the years in relation to the engine; Rebuilding and Tuning Ford's Kent Crossflow Engine by Peter & Valerie Wallage and the Haynes Manual for Ford Escort '75 to '80 Caterham Cars used to supply either an Owners Manual and/or an Assembly Guide, might be worth putting an ad in the wanted section and checking Ebay occasionally. Hope this all helps. Chris Alston C7CAT 1800 Supersprint R248 ....and then I jumped in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyrone Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 Dave, Where do you live? I would search out your nearest area meeting/AR, there will be plenty of people prepared to pour over your car and offer the benefit of their experience. Also, do a search in techtalk on crossflow or xflow for a little background reading. Any thread where Roger King chips in is worth a read. Burtonpower are a good source of crossflow parts and their catalogue is worth getting for the technical bits at the front and to see the manuals available. There is also the paperback book 'Lotus Seven: Preparation, Restoration and Maintenance' by Tony Weale which should be OK for the vintage of your car. Someone might offer up a copy if you post in the wanted section. NE Area Rep I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alextangent Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 Lots of experience with the xflows here; mine's a 1993 1700 Supersprint with in excess of 35k on the clock, most of it in the last 4 years in my ownership. Probably lost 20 to 30bhp in that time, but it's plenty fast enough for me. Regular oil changes, using an additive as it's probably have a leaded head, running slightly rich and not beating the sh1t out of it when it's cold are my recommendations. As said before, Rebuilding and Tuning Ford's Kent Crossflow Engine by Peter & Valerie Wallage is good. Don't dick around with the carbs until you understand how they operate! It's all too easy to turn a slight issue into a major problem with no more than a screwdriver. Other areas to make sure work; brakes. Make sure you have some. All very well accelerating as long as you can stop... And tyres. A decent set of rubber, as the originals had all the grip of black soap. Alex McDonald Loud, louder, loudest... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaterBram Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 Dave, YHM re the manual Welcome to the club from another Newbie XFlow owner, where in the world are you ? There's load of infomation on this site and the my.lotussevenclub.com As others have said, see if you can get to the local meet and then you can find out who are near you. remember Stay on the black stuff 😬 Q469 WET, 1990 Caterham 1690 Crossflow Long Cockpit in Ali except for the red bits.CaterBram on Facebook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonboylaw Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 Got to love the Crossflow!... Alex Need to come for a coffee and chat again... things are rpogressing on the re-build.. a little Jonathan ----------------------------------- This rebuild has started :) 92 Supersprint, Ford LSD LA, RK AX Crossflow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clousta Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 Welcome. 😬 As well as Caterham's version of the 1700 Supersprint there are other examples out there. My engine was bulit by Oselli Engine Services to 1700 fast road/rally spec. Although I have the deatiled receipt for all the work I have not identified what type of pistons are fiitted yet. More careful reading required! Have fun. Gavin 1988 1700 Supersprint (LA, long cockpit) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john g Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 Should we have a xflow club 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaterBram Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 Could always have a facebook Page - "Caterham XFlows" 😬 looks like there are more out there than I thought Q469 WET, 1990 Caterham 1690 Crossflow Long Cockpit in Ali except for the red bits.CaterBram on Facebook Edited by - CaterBram Jnr on 20 Jan 2010 22:20:13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusCat Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 Information from a 1985 road test and a price list of a 1700 Supersprint engine kit from 1990 would indicate that the 1700 is a 1600cc 711 block with a 90/1000th of a inch over bore to provide 1691cc with pistons to suit and the following other changes: high lift, short duration cam - 234 head has fully flowed ports heavy duty oversized valves duplex valve springs twin 40DCOEs Weber with 32mm chokes Caterham quoted 135bhp at 6,000rpm Looking on the web - Ford appear only used up to 1600cc kent engines in Escorts. An the Mark 1 GT had a 1300 engine. Edited by - MusCat on 20 Jan 2010 23:38:13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alextangent Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 1600cc 711 block with a 90/1000th of a inch over bore My engine, and Jon's too, are AX blocks (rare as hen's teeth), not the 711M. Beefier bores, and I think they can be taken out to 1800cc. Jon; call me. I'd be delighted to have you pay a visit. Can't make it to your place as I'm without alternative transport at the mo. Added to say; all the ancilliary parts from a 711M block 1300 or 1600 will fit straight on a Caterham xflow (including the AX block), even the heads. But avoid the heads on ebay; most are small valved, leaded and single springed rubbish. Alex McDonald Loud, louder, loudest... Edited by - alextangent on 21 Jan 2010 00:08:26 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alextangent Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 AX block on ebay went for 740 pounds yesterday. The old girl is worth more in bits ❗ Alex McDonald Loud, louder, loudest... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonboylaw Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 Dave, Is yours live axle or early dedion? Wet sump or dry engine ? Alex, will be over when I have a bit of time, you know how it is.... Front wishbones now on, loom being re-assembled, lots and lots of little jobs to do and maybe one major one with the rear axle fitting (pushing out the prop tunnel for the diff nose clearance....) Jonathan ----------------------------------- This rebuild has started :) 92 Supersprint, Ford LSD LA, RK AX Crossflow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manxseven Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 Hi Dave, I have a Assembly Guide which I no longer require, which you can have for a tenner incl the postage to you. I'll send you a 'blatmail' Cheers, Simon ----- Caterham BEC here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stef Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 Simon, If Dave doesnt require the assembly guide, is there any chance I could have it? Cheers Steffan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manxseven Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 Steffan, yes of course, if dave doesn't want it. I'll let you know, Cheers, simon ----- Caterham BEC here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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